Brake wear measurement apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A brake wear measurement apparatus for use on a brake assembly equipped with a wear pin having a plunger slidably mounted in the plunger sleeve having a first end and second end and wherein when the brake wear measurement apparatus is placed over the wear pin, the wear pin contacts the plunger first end, and moves the plunger within the plunger sleeve to a retracted position corresponding to a retraction distance delta, and wherein the retraction distance delta corresponds to a wear pin exposed height indicating an amount of brake wear. A locking mechanism for locking the plunger in the retracted position may be provided. A brake wear correlation program whereby the input of a brake part number, a plunger retraction distance delta, and a number of performed landings will result in an output of an estimated number of remaining landings may also be provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/466,953, entitled BRAKE WEAR MEASUREMENT APPARATUS ANDMETHOD and filed on May 15, 2009. The '953 Application is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/796,758, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,552,627, filed Apr. 30, 2007 and entitled BRAKE WEARMEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD. The '627 Patent claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/796,950 filed May 1,2006, entitled BRAKE WEAR MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD. All theaforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention generally relates to braking systems, and moreparticularly, to an apparatus and method for measuring the wear ofaircraft brakes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently aircraft brakes typically are manufactured with a wear pin.This pin is used to indicate the wear of the brakes. On larger aircraft,when the wear pin is no longer protruding from its indicator hole, thebrakes are ready for replacement. However, on smaller aircraft, wherethe wear on each landing is less, even a small amount of wear pinremaining can be a significant amount of remaining landings.

However, because these brakes are not checked after every landing, andan approximate number of remaining landings may not be known, often adecision is made to remove these brakes from the aircraft when there isa small amount of wear pin still showing. Often the practice has been toremove the brakes from the aircraft to get an accurate measurement ofthe remaining wear pin, to better determine the remaining number oflandings. Once an accurate measurement of the wear pin is obtained, theoriginal size of the wear pin is determined by looking up the partnumber. The difference between the original size and the current size isthen divided by the number of landings to give an approximate“wear-per-landing”, and this is then used to estimate the number ofremaining landings. Because of the time and complexity of this process,it is usually not performed on site, and sometimes the brake isdiscarded with remaining landings left.

Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method which allowsmeasurement of the wear pin without removal of the brake from theaircraft. It is further desired to have a program which would allow foreasy calculation of the remaining landings based on the measurement ofthe wear pin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the disclosed apparatus, systems and methods describedherein are directed to a brake wear measurement apparatus for use on abrake assembly equipped with a wear pin having a diameter and an exposedheight, which comprises a plunger sleeve having a first end and a secondend, and an inner diameter larger than the wear pin outer diameter.

The brake wear measurement apparatus may further comprise a plungerslidably mounted in the plunger sleeve having a corresponding first endand second end and wherein the plunger first end is exposed, such thatwhen the brake wear measurement apparatus is placed over the wear pin,the wear pin contacts the plunger first. end, and moves the plungerwithin said plunger sleeve a retraction distance delta, whichcorresponds to the wear pin exposed height.

In an embodiment, the brake wear measurement apparatus may furthercomprise a plunger stop mechanism to prevent the plunger from slidingout of the plunger sleeve when no external force is applied to theplunger.

In an embodiment, the brake wear measurement apparatus may furthercomprise a locking mechanism configured to prevent the plunger fromsliding within the plunger sleeve when said locking mechanism isengaged. The apparatus may further comprise a brake wear correlationprogram whereby the input of a brake part number, a plunger retractiondistance delta, and a number of performed landings will result in anoutput of an estimated number of remaining landings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a brake wear measurement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a brake wear measurement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a brake wear measurement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, from FIG. 2, of a brake wearmeasurement apparatus in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cut-away view of a brake assembly, showing a wear pin inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of the wear pin from FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a plunger in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a plunger in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 7A is a cut out from FIG. 4 showing a close-up of a plunger stop inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a brake wear correlation program in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a brake wear measurement apparatus with aplunger locked in a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a brake wear measurement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a brake wear measurement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a brake wear measurement apparatusin accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawing figures, which show various embodiments andimplementations thereof by way of illustration and its best mode, andnot of limitation. While these embodiments are described in sufficientdetail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments,it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and thatlogical, electrical, and mechanical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, anyreference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference tomore than one component or step may include a singular embodiment orstep.

Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like mayinclude permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any otherpossible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to withoutcontact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimalcontact. Finally, though the various embodiments discussed herein may becarried out in the context of an aircraft, it should be understood thatsystems and methods disclosed herein may be incorporated into anythingneeding a brake, or into any vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft,a train, a bus, an automobile and the like.

Various aspects of the invention are presented in FIGS. 1-10 which arenot drawn to scale and in which like components are numbered alike. Withreference to these figures, in an embodiment, a brake wear measurementapparatus 10 for use on a brake assembly 5 configured with a wear pin 11having a diameter 12, and an exposed height 13, may comprise a plungersleeve 20, a plunger 30, a plunger stop 60, a plunger spring 40, and alocking mechanism 50.

In an embodiment, the plunger sleeve 20 has a first end 22 and a secondend 24, wherein the second end 24 may have a spring stop, which, in anembodiment may comprise a spring sleeve 27. The plunger sleeve first end22 has an inner diameter 23, wherein the plunger sleeve first end innerdiameter 23 is greater than the wear pin diameter 12.

In an embodiment, the plunger 30 may comprise a first end 32 and asecond end 34. The plunger 30 may be slidably mounted in the plungersleeve 20. When the plunger 30 is mounted in the plunger sleeve 20, theplunger first end 32 is exposed, such that when the brake wearmeasurement apparatus 10 is placed over the wear pin 11, the wear pin 11contacts the plunger first end 32, and moves the plunger 30 within theplunger sleeve 20 a retraction distance delta 36 within the plungersleeve 20. The retraction distance delta 36 corresponds to the wear pinexposed height 13. In an embodiment, the plunger stop 60 prevents theplunger 30 from exiting the plunger sleeve 20.

In an embodiment, a plunger spring 40 may be mounted in the plungersleeve against the spring stop. In an embodiment where the spring stopcomprises a spring sleeve 27, the spring 40 may be mounted in the springsleeve 27. The plunger spring 40 acts on the plunger 30, such that whenthere are no other external forces on the plunger 30, the plunger spring40 biases the plunger 30 against the plunger stop 60 such that theplunger first end 32 is flush with the plunger sleeve first end 22.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 50 may be configured such thatwhen a three is applied to the plunger first end 32, compressing theplunger spring 40 and forcing the plunger 30 to retract within theplunger sleeve 20, the locking mechanism 50 may be engaged to maintainthe plunger 30 in such retracted position.

In an embodiment, the plunger sleeve first end 22 may have at least onecut out area 25, such that a portion of the plunger first end 32 isexposed, even when the plunger 30 is retracted. The cut out area 25 maybe configured to provide clearance so that the brake wear measurementapparatus 10 can fit over wear pin 11 without interference from othercomponents of the brake assembly. According to another embodiment, theplunger sleeve first end 22 may have a second cut out 26. The second cutout 26 may provide visible confirmation of proper tool use and/orprovide clearance, for example, to prevent interference with the pistonhousing during use.

In another embodiment, measurement gradients 70 may be provided on theoutside of the plunger sleeve first end 22, for example, proximate thecut-out area 2.5 such that the retraction distance 36 of the plunger 30can be determined without the use of another measuring tool.

According to another embodiment, the brake wear measurement apparatus 10further comprises a handle 17 extending from the plunger sleeve 20.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 50 may comprises a hole 28 inthe plunger sleeve second end 24, wherein the hole 28 exposes a portionof the plunger second end 34. The locking mechanism 50 may furthercomprise a locking pin 52 sized to fit into the hole 28, such that thelocking pin 52 may be extended into the hole 28 against the plungersecond end 34 with a force sufficient to prevent the plunger 30 frommoving. In an embodiment, the locking pin 52 is located within thehandle 17.

In an embodiment, the plunger 30 may comprise a slot 35 which lines upwith the plunger sleeve hole 28 such that the locking pin 52 fits intothe plunger slot 35. This combination can be used as the plunger stop 60where the slot 35 has a top end 37 such that when the locking pin 52 isat the slot top end 37, the plunger first end 32 is flush with theplunger sleeve first end 22.

When embodiment of the brake wear measurement apparatus is in use, thewear pin 11 will three the plunger 30 to retract away from the plungersleeve first end 22. The distance that the plunger first end 32 retractsaway from the plunger sleeve first end 22 is the plunger retractiondistance 36.

In various embodiments, a brake wear correlation program may be providedwhereby the input of a brake part number, a plunger retraction distance36, and a number of performed landings will result in an output of anestimated number of remaining landings. This program contains data forthe wear pin size for the different part numbers, and will perform allthe calculations.

According to an embodiment, a method for determining remaining brakelife for a brake assembly 5 equipped with a wear pin 11 comprises thesteps of placing the brake measurement tool 10 over the wear pin 11,such that the wear pin 11 slides into the plunger sleeve 20, forcing theplunger 30 to retract; locking the plunger 30 in the retracted positionwith the locking mechanism 50; removing the brake measurement tool 10from the wear pin 11; measuring the plunger retraction distance 36 bymeasuring the distance between the plunger first end 32 in the retractedposition, and the plunger sleeve first end 22; and, inputting theplunger retraction distance 36 into a brake wear correlation programwhereby the input of a brake part number, a plunger retraction distance36, and a number of performed landings will result in an output of anestimated number of remaining landings.

Another embodiment of the brake wear measurement device is shown inFIGS. 10-12. In this embodiment, the plunger sleeve 20 comprises a firstend 22 and a second end 24 and further has an inner diameter 23, whereinthe inner diameter 23 is larger than the wear pin diameter 12. A plunger30 is slidably mounted in the plunger sleeve 20, and has a correspondingplunger first end 32 and plunger second end 34.

The brake wear measurement apparatus may further comprise a plunger stopmechanism 60 configured to prevent the plunger 32 from sliding out ofthe plunger sleeve 20 when no external force is applied to the plunger30.

In an embodiment, a locking mechanism 50 may be provided to prevent theplunger 30 from sliding within the plunger sleeve 20 when the lockingmechanism 50 is engaged.

In an embodiment, the plunger sleeve first end 22 may further comprise acut out 25, such that the plunger first end 32 is visible. The cut out2.5 may have gradient markings to measure the movement of the plunger30.

In an embodiment, the plunger sleeve second end 24 may be open to allowthe plunger second end 34 to extend. The plunger second end 34 mayfurther comprise gradient markings 70 to measure the movement of theplunger 30. In various embodiments, the gradient markings correlate tothe delta between the plunger first end 32 and the plunger sleeve firstend 22, and thus to wear pin exposed height 13.

In an embodiment, the plunger stop mechanism 60 may comprise a frictionfitted o-ring, The friction fitted o-ring may act as either or both ofthe plunger stop mechanism 60 and the locking mechanism 50.

Finally, although the invention has been shown and described withrespect to certain embodiments, equivalents and modifications will occurto others who are skilled in the art upon reading and understanding ofthe specification. Various embodiments include all such equivalents andmodifications, and are limited only by the scope of the followingclaims.

Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems havebeen described herein with regard to various embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of the invention. The scope of the invention isaccordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, inwhich reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, and C”is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted tomean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may bepresent in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, orthat any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in asingle embodiment; for example. A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and Band C. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or anyother variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements does not include only those elements butmay include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus.

1. A method for estimating the remaining brake life of a brake,comprising: determining a brake part number; determining a number oflandings performed by the brake; measuring a wear pin exposed height;determining, by a brake wear correlation program, an estimated remainingbrake life based on said brake part number, said number of landingsperformed by the brake, and said wear pin exposed height.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein said estimated remaining brake life is a number ofremaining landings.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said measuringfurther comprises placing a brake measurement tool, having a plungersleeve and a plunger slidably mounted in said plunger sleeve, over awear pin, wherein said wear pin forces said plunger to retract to aretracted position corresponding to said wear pin exposed height.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said measuring further comprises locking saidplunger in said retracted position.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid brake wear correlation program comprises a processor and atangible, non-transitory memory.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein acomputer-based aircraft braking system performs at least one of thedetermining a brake part number, the determining a number of landingsperformed by the brake, and the measuring a wear pin exposed height.